Rakuza Robatayaki

There are many Japanese style Izakayas in Taiwan, but have you ever sat in front of a bar full of fresh vegetables watching the master chef kneeling in front of you while he cooks up your meal? Probably not, because although residents of Sendai City in Japan’s Miyagi Prefecture have long used this technique of first catching fresh seafood before cooking it on a large square stove inside, it is not common in Taiwan. This cooking technique used to be locally called this "robatayaki" and has finally made its way to Taichung.

There are two branches of Rakuza Robatayaki in Taichung, and its fully Japanese style appearance is enough to attract many people's curiosity. When guests enter, store attendants offer a warm greeting. Diners sit side by side, sometimes watching the waiters adding crushed ice to the food bar, sometimes watching the master chef preparing sashimi. But the most interesting sight of all is definitely after the chef has prepared the delicacies and placed them on the table in front of the guests. This experience has the same feeling of being in the fish village of Japan enjoying local cruisine.

Of course, in addition to the dining environment being very "Japanese", the meals are also very authentic. Although the unit price is more expensive than the average pub, it is definitely affordable when compared to eating a similar meal in Japan. Coupled with the quality of the cuisine and the generously long open hours, it is clear why all four corners of the restaurant are brimming with happy customers. Sea clams baked with cheese topping (海蛤黃金燒) retains the taste of the clams under a layer of delicious golden cheese, and, grilled with a layer of onions, is both salty and sweet. Mentaiko potatoes baked with roe (明太子烤小洋芋) provide a rich taste, making for an unforgettable feast. Grilled black pork ribs (碳烤黑豬肉肋排) are fragrant, and the grilled mochi is fragrant, elastic and slightly chewy. In other words, almost all meals here are seriously yummy. The only downside of this place would have to be the dish most recommended by the service staff, the grilled fish (烤魚), which, upon eating, tastes pretty ordinary but is more expensive than normal.